BYU-Hawaii President John “Keoni” Kauwe is taking temporary leave while he fights rectal cancer.
The university made the announcement Monday in a Facebook post.
Kelly Haws will serve as acting president until Kauwe’s health enables him to return, according to a statement by Elder Clark G. Gilbert, commissioner of the Church Educational System. Haws is an assistant commissioner of the Church Educational System.
Haws will report to Kauwe.
Kauwe said in the post that he is experiencing immune system challenges that have limited his capacity to manage treatment. Those issues have altered the timeline for chemotherapy and surgery, he said.
He announced his cancer diagnosis in September.
“This cancer is treatable, but it’s serious,” he wrote at the time. “It requires immediate care and several months of focused treatment.”
The leave of absence was granted by the board of education of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which sponsors BYU-Hawaii.
The makeup of the board’s top leadership recently changed with the death of President Russell M. Nelson, who had been the board chairman.
President Dallin H. Oaks is the new board chairman, with President Henry B. Eyring and President D. Todd Christofferson as vice chairmen. The three men also constitute the First Presidency of the church.
“The Church Board of Education has been inspired by your ability to continue to lead BYU-Hawaii during a season of medical treatment,” Elder Gilbert said in a letter to Kauwe on behalf of the board.
“For you to heal properly and to give full attention to your recovery, the board is granting you a temporary leave, effective immediately,” the letter said.
Kauwe said in the post that while this is a trying time for his family, he and his wife remain optimistic about a full recovery.
“We urge you to continue to rely on Jesus Christ as you face the challenges in your lives,” he wrote. “We testify that he will bring you strength, resilience and growth. We love you and pray that the joy of our Savior blesses and strengthens all of us this Christmas season.”
Haws also serves as secretary to the BYU-Hawaii Board of Trustees, so he is familiar with the university’s operation.
Kauwe said he and Haws will begin to coordinate immediately.
Haws and his wife, Connie, will arrive in Laie for the first week of the winter semester, which begins Jan. 5.
“I have deep love and respect for Brother Haws,” Kauwe wrote in his post, “and I know he will be a blessing to all of us during this time.”
Haws is well-known to the university’s students. He has given 12 talks at spring, summer or winter commencement exercises since 2019.
Haws spoke at BYU–Hawaii’s winter commencement exercises on Dec. 12. Kauwe did not attend but recorded a message that was played for graduates, per the Church News.
In fact, Kauwe spent half that day undergoing his fifth chemotherapy infusion. His wife Monica, who was celebrating her birthday, was at his side.
Kauwe noted in his recorded message that the university’s mission is to train students from Oceania and the Asian Rim to be leaders in those areas. Kauwe told the latest graduates that their BYU-Hawaii degrees are a capstone, or the final stone that completes a structure and symbolizes completion, maturity and readiness.
“Here at BYU–Hawaii, we consider the capstone to include your spiritual growth, your intellectual development, your consecrated purpose, your physical and emotional resilience and your leadership capacity," President Kauwe said. “As we gather for your graduation, I ask you to reflect on how you have grown and matured in each of these areas. I also ask you to feel confident in your future.”
Haws said that the guidance of Jesus Christ, his prophets and apostles will be unanticipated.
“Sometimes their direction will come with challenging invitations that require humility and sacrifice and faith to adopt,” he said. “And always, always, their counsel will prepare us ‘to be lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ and leaders in our families, communities, chosen fields and in building the kingdom of God.’”
Elder Gilbert’s message to Kauwe included a vote of confidence from the full board.
“You continue to have our full confidence,” Elder Gilbert wrote, “and we pray that this leave of absence will allow you to heal and facilitate your return to your full-time responsibilities as president for years to come.”
BYU–Hawaii Graduates Fall 2025
- Earned 212 bachelor’s degrees and four associates degrees awarded.
- Represented 31 countries.
- Ranged in age from 20 to 58 years old.
- 60% come from outside the United States.
- 40% are from 24 U.S. states.
- 27% of graduates are from Oceania.
- 30% are from the Asian Rim.
- 91% held at least one job at BYU–Hawaii or the Polynesian Cultural Center.